Apparatus for packing articles into containers



y 1, 1954 w. GEISLER 2,678,151

APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22. 19:1

8 Sheets-Sheet l W. GEISLER May 11; 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 frzoeni'ar William fells'lei wsr W. GEISLER May 11, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22, 1951 a sheets-sri'et :5

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W. GEISLER May 11, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22. 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 W. GEISLER May 11, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 frzuemiav W. GEISLEIR May 11, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 fnverzlar Willem fazl ler a 5 Mfr 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 [fla /3Z0)" William 0626282" ZZZ 'T II I w. GEISLER APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug.- 22, 1951 W. GEISLER May 11, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Willie EM ciw Patented May 11, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PACKING ARTICLES INTO CONTAINERS William Geisler, Tenafly, N. J., assignor to Economic Machinery Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 22, 1951, Serial No. 243,063

19 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to apparatus for fillin containers, more specifically for preparing and introducing a filler unit into a container, for instance, a shipping carton.

In my copending application, Serial No. 106,824, filed July 26, 1949, for Method of Making Filled Packages, I have described the preparation of an embryo carton from a sheet material blank, the assembly of a plurality of articles with a spacer grid to form a filler unit, the introduction of this unit into the carton, and the subsequent closing and sealing of the carton-all as a continuous process, noting that the various steps of this process may each be carried out as a hand operation, if desired.

The present invention concerns a novel mechanism for making the filler unit and introducing it into the empty carton prepared to receive it.

Various methods have heretofore been used for introducing a plurality of articles, for example, bottles, into a shipping container. Customarily, shipping containers, such as cartons, are filled through the open top. Usually a spacer grid is employed to prevent contact of the articles with each other and to prevent the articles from shifting within the container. Sometimes the grid is first placed in the carton and the articles introduced one-by-one by hand into the grid spaces or pockets. Sometimes the articles are placed loosely in the empty carton and the grid is pushed down over them. Sometimes the articles are assembled with the grid and the carton is inverted and pushed down over the assembly and then turned right side up. These previous methods of filling the carton all require that the carton be open at its top (or alternately, at its bottom) which means that when the carton is filled and sealed, its top or botom wall, or both, consist of overlapping flaps united by glue or metallic fasteners, thus providing an uneven bottom surface and a top or bottom which depends upon the strength of the fastening means to keep it closed.

The advantages of a carton, such as a shipping container, which can be filled through a side wall, have been pointed out in my aforementioned copending application, in particular, the fact that the top and bottom walls of such a carton may be unitarypresenting uninterrupted, smooth surfaces which iacilitate the sliding of the carton along the floor or its movement on a conveyorsuch unitary top and bottom walls affording the full strength of the sheet material to support the contents when the closed container is lifted and/or inverted. One object of the present inyention' is to provide improved apparatus for introducing a filling charge into a carton which is open at its side (as distinguished from its top or bottom). A further object is to provide improved mechanism operative to receive articles, for instance, bottles from a supply and to arrange them in predetermined order to form a filler block of a size and shape substantially to fill the carton. A further object is to provide mechanism operative to introduce a filler unit comprising a predetermined number of articles assembled with a spacer grid into a carton open at its side. A further object is to provide mechanism operative to assemble a plurality of articles, received from a supply, to form a filler block while concomitantly introducing a previously prepared filler unit into a container. A further object is to provide mechanism, including means cooperable with an open-sided carton, to facilitate the introduction thereinto of a filler unit such as will fit snugly within the carton. A further object is to provide means operative to deliver articles in proper sequence and in a plurality of parallel paths to form the desired filler block. A further object is to provide means operative automatically to stop the operation of the mechanism in the event of failure of an empty carton to arrive at the filling position, or in the event of failure of articles to arrive from the supply in orderly succession and at a rate sufficient to form a complete filler block. Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be pointed out in the following more detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of apparatus useful in the making, filling and sealing of a shipping package, and showing the location of the filling mechanism of the present invention with respect to other operative elements of such apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, to larger scale, of the carton-filling mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, omitting certain parts, and illustrating a modification;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation, partly in vertical section, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the parts being in the position which they occupy when a filler unit is about to be introduced into the empty carton;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the elevator for the filler unit in its depressed or receiving position, and showing the carton as having received its filler unit;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, to larger scale, illustrating one desirable arrangement for agitating at its side.

3 the articles as they approach the filler mechanism to prevent jamming of the articles as they move along;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the agitating means of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in vertical sec- 7 tion and with parts broken away, illustrating the drive mechanism for the filling device;

Fig. 9 is a plan view, to large scale, of a portion of the drive mechanism of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a Vertical section, to larger scale than Fig. 8, on the line Hi -ill of the latter figure;

Fig. 11 is an elevation looking from the righthand side of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through the vator, shown in loading position;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the vator;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section, on the l4i4 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram illustrative of an automatic control for the elevator operating clutch.

The unit-forming and carton-filling mechanism of the present invention, while of broader utility, is herein illustrated as forming a part of an apparatus whereby a carton is made from a blank which is folded, and overlapping portions of the blank are stapled to form an embryo carton open This embryo carton is delivered to the filling device, herein more specifically described, and after filling, is delivered to a closing mechanism whereby its open side is closed and then sealed. Such a carton making and filling apparatus is illustrated diagrammatically by way of example in Fig. 1 where the numeral l designates a magazine for blanks, of cardboard, or the like, suitably shaped to form the desired carton. These blanks are conveyed, preferably automatically to a station 2 at which they are partially folded, the partially folded blank when moving to a station 3, which may be an idle station, and then to a station 4 at which a further manipulation of the blank takes place preparatory to advancing it through a stitching zone where certain of the end-forming flaps of the blank are permanently united, for example, by staples. The embryo carton thus formed continues to advance to the station 5 at which its direction of movement is changed, the carton being carried along by conveyor means through a station 1, which may be an idle station, and then to the station 8 where the filling charge or unit is formed and introduced into the carton. From this station 3 the filled carton, with its open side still open, advances through a-station 9 where glue may be applied to some of its parts and then to a station N where the open side is closed. From this station the filled and closed carton passes to a station H where it may be subjected to pressure or confinement while the adhesive which unites its closing elements to the other parts, is setting, the completed and filled carton then being removed from the station by any desired conveying means H.

The mechanism of the present invention is I eleeleline

cated at the station 8. Figs. 2, l and 5 illustrate.

diagrammatically the essential parts at this station 8.

The carton is advanced from the station E to the station 8 by appropriate means, for example a conveyor chain or intermittently acting pusher dogs, which move it along a guideway comprising parallel, spaced horizontal rails suitablysupported at the desired elevation. At the time of .its ar rival at the station 8, the carton C comprises the parallel spaced top and bottom members T and B (Fig. 5) the rear wall R, end walls, and the front closure flaps E and F. Before arriving at 5 the station 8, the flaps El and F have been bent upwardly and downwardly, respectively, as shown in Figs. 4i and 5, by appropriate means, for example stationary plows, so that, as the carton arrives at the station 8, its open front is wholly unobstructed.

As one element of the filling apparatus at the station 3, there is provided a stationary funnel member is of a transverse sectional shape and size approximating that of the interior of the carton C. Preferably this stationary funnel member tapers in width, as shown in Fig. 2, so that its narrower end may readily be entered within the open front of the carton. Preferably, the top wall of this funnel flares upwardly as shown at I i (Fig. 5) to facilitate the entrance of the filler unit. The bottom wall P of this stationary funnel M is supported so that its upper surface inclines downwardly and to the left, as seen in Fig. 8, so that it lies in substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the bottom B of the carton as it is presented by the conveyor. As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, that portion 12, I3 of the guideway along which the cartons travel is mounted to tilt about an axis at the point X (Fig. 8) and as the empty carton arrives at station 3 (Fig. 4) it stands on the tilted portion of the guideway so that its bottom Wall E is inclined. When the filler unit one ters the carton, its weight restores the guideway i2, it to the horizontal (Fig. 8).

At the opposite side of the conveyor from the funnel it there is arranged a pusher device I5 designed to engage the outer surface of the rear wall R of the carton and, after so engaging said wall, to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. i, so as to force the carton onto the smaller end of the funnel M. When. partially telescoped over the funnel, the carton is supported partially by the funnel and partially by the guideway element l2, I3.

The left-hand end of the funnel M, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, is flush with what may be termed one wall V (Figs. 4 and 5) of an elevator well in which the elevator or vertically movable table 56 moves up and down. This elevator or table 16 is moved up and down by vertically reciprocating links 13 as hereinafter more fully described. At its upper limit of movement (Fig. l) its upper surface is at substantially the same level as that of the left-hand edge (Fig. 4) of the bottom of the funnel i4.

While the elevator or table 56 dwells in this latter position, the filler unit, which then rests upon the upper surface of the elevator or table, is pushed into the funnel M and eventually into the carton by a pusher member 58 carried by rods is which are reciprocated horizontally by mechanism hereafter described. a

The filler unit comprises a spacer grid 2| (Figs; 2, 4: and 5) which is usually made of cardboard comprising transverse and longitudinal interlocked members which collectively define a plurality of cells, each designed to hold one article, for example a bottle W, as here illustrated. This spacer grid is held by an operator so as to receive the charge of bottles W as the elevator rises, the spacer grid being pushed down so that its lower edge engages the upper surface of the elevator or table just prior to the advance of the pusher it}.

As shown in Fig. 5, the elevator I6 is in its lowermost position, this being its position for receiving a charge of articles. For delivering the articles to the elevator, there is provided a conveyor, here shown as an endless belt, having the upper horizontal, article-supporting run 22 which is substantially level with the upper surface of the table or elevator [6 when the latter is in the receiving position, shown in Fig. 5. As here illustrated (Fig. 3) the carton contains four transversely extending rows of bottles with six bottles in a row and, in order to position the bottles properly on the elevator, fixed parallel guide rails 23 and 24 (Fig. 2) are provided. These guide rails extend longitudinally of the conveyor 22, the rails 23 being at the opposite edges respectively of the belt and the rails 24 being arranged between the rails 23, adjacent rails being spaced apart so as to provide six parallel paths or channels, each of a width approximating that of the diameter of one of the bottles W. The width of the elevator table it, measured from right to left, as viewed in Figs. 4, 5 and 12, is such as to receive four rows of bottles.

In order to insure the proper distribution of bottles into the several parallel paths or channels leading to the elevator, an arrangement, such as that illustrated in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, may be employed. In this arrangement the intermediate partitions or rails 24 each terminates at a point 25. An agitator blade 28 or 2t (Figs. 6 and 7) is arranged in line with one or another of the rails 24 just beyond the terminal point 25. These blades 26 and 26 are arranged in alternation, the blades 26 being carried by arms 21 (Fig. '7) and the blades by arms 21 The arms 21 are fixed to a rock shaft 28 and the arms 21 to a rock shaft 28 These rock shafts are interconnected by meshing gears 29 and 30 so that when one shaft rocks in one direction, the other rocks in the opposite direction. One of these shafts is provided with an actuating arm 3i which is connected by a link 32 to a crank pin 33, the rotation of which rocks the arm 3| and thus oscillates the blades 25 and 2t simultaneously in opposite directions.

At the right hand side of the elevator, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, a row of detector devices 44 is arranged, one detector for each of the six rows of articles. As the leading article in each row engages the corresponding detector, a switch is closed. When all six switches are closed, the elevator starts to rise.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 8 and 12, the elevator is provided with a depending vertical guard plate, a gate |6 which moves up and down with the elevator and which, when the elevator is up prevents accidental escape of articles from the conveyor into the elevator shaft.

Rearwardly of the blades 26 and 26 there is provided a receiving chamber 36 (Fig. 2) into which the articles W are delivered, as here shown, from two guideways which receive the articles from any suitable source, for example, from a pair of labeling machines. In order to prevent jamming of the articles within the chamber 35 as they approach the entrances to the paths defined by the rails 24, the side walls 3'! of the chamber 36 are pivoted, being urged inwardly toward each other by springs 38 and being limited in their outward movements by stops 39. The swinging of these arms outwardly is arranged to control valves which admit air to cylinders 41! containing pistons designed to actuate gate members 4|, designed, at times, to extend across the parallel delivery channels 42 so as temporarily to stop the delivery of articles along said channels. Such an arrangement of gate mechanism 6 is more fully described in the application of Carter, Serial No. 43,827, filed August 12, 1948, to which reference may be had for further details.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a modified arrangement for distributing the articles W into the guide paths defined by the plates 23 and 24. In this arrangement, each member 24 terminates at a point 43 at the delivery end of a chamber 45 into which the articles are delivered through the guide channels 42 The floor of this chamber 55 consists of a plate which is supported for movement in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. 3, and this plate is vibrated back and forth in this direction at very high speed and with a small amplitude of vibration, for example, by electromagnetic means, so that the articles W within the chamber 45 are agitated and thus prevented from jamming as they approach the entrances to the guide channels between the plates 24. This arrangement of a shaker plate may be incorporated in the device shown in Fig. 2, if desired, such a plate then forming the floor of the chamber 35. Since shaker devices of this general type have been used for various purposes, it is unnecessary to describe in detail the electromagnetic means for vibrating the plate.

The actual mechanism, whereby the above operations are caused to take place, is disclosed more particularly in Figs, 8 to 14, inclusive. This mechanism comprises a rigid frame having spaced uprights 4B which may be castings and which are rigidly connected by transverse members 45* or the like, the frame preferably having adjustable legs or supports 41 and 48 for leveling the apparatus and whereby its elevation may be varied to some extent in order, particularly, that the funnel i l may be accuratelyadjusted relatively to the position of the carton C at the filling station. The funnel I4 is supported by brackets 50.

At the rear of the machine (Fig. 8) there is provided an adjustable support on which is mounted a drive motor 5|. This motor drives a shaft 5P preferably with an interposed clutch device, whereby the shaft may be stopped, if desired, and on this shaft 5P is mounted a pulley 52 which receives a belt 54 which drives a pulley 55 on a shaft 56 parallel to the motor shaft. A gear fixed to the shaft 56 drives a gear 51 mounted on a stub shaft 58 carried by the machine frame. This gear 51 meshes with a gear 59 normally free on the cam shaft 68 which is journaled in suitable bearings carried by the machine frame. Gear 59 may be connected, at times, to the shaft 60, by a one-revolution clutch of conventional type having the actuating arm 6! which is operated by a solenoid D.

A sprocket wheel on the shaft 56 drives a sprocket chain 6| which embraces a sprocket wheel fixed to a shaft 62 mounted at its opposite end portions in bearings carried by the frame. On this shaft is another sprocket wheel which drives a sprocket chain 63 which passes about a sprocket wheel on shaft 64 (Figs. 8 and 10) near the forward part of the machine. On this shaft 64 are mounted the drive rollers 65 (Fig. 10) for the conveyor, whose upper run 22 advances the articles toward the filling station.

A shaft 61 (Figs. 8 and 9) is fixed at its upposite ends in the side frame members 45, and on this shaft is mounted the hub 68 (Fig. 9) of a bell-crank lever having an arm 69 (Fig. 9) provided with a cam follower roll 10 which engages a cam groove in a cam disk H fixed to the shaft 60. The other arm 12 of this bell-crank lever a renal,

extends forwardly and downwardly (Fig. 8) and has. a bearing 13 at its forward end (Fig. 11) which receives a transverse pin 13 A shackle of adjustable length connects the pin 23* to the links 13 whose upper ends are pivotally secured to the elevator or table it. Elevator guiding rods I7, fixed to opposite edges of the table, slide in vertical bearings 14 carried by the machine frame.

Mounted on the shaft 61 (Fig. 9) is the hub '35 of another bell-crank lever, having a rearwardlydirected arm it provided with a cam follower roll H, which engages a cam groove in a cam disk as fixed to the shaft lit. This bell crank also has a downwardly-extending arm 19 (Fig. 8) to whose lower end is pivotally connected the rear end of a rigid rod 80 which extends upwardly and forwardly and is pivotally connected by a pin 8! to the lower arm 82 of a bell crank pivoted at 83 to a bracket fixed to the conveyor structure along which the carton C is advanced to the filling station. The arm 32 of this bell crank is rigidly connected to an upwardly-extending arm or arms 85 to whose upper ends is connected the pusher device It by means of which the carton is advanced so as to be partially telescoped over the filler funnel, as above described.

Near the rear of the machine there is a stub shaft 83 (Fig. 9) fixed to the machine frame and projecting outwardly, and on which is mounted a hub 81 carrying a long lever arm 88 (Fig. 8) extending forwardly and having, at a point intermediate its ends, a pin carrying a earn follower roll as which engages a cam groove in a cam disk 90 fixed to the shaft 60. To the forward end of the lever. arm 58. are pivotally connected the lcwer ends of parallel links 9| (Fig. whose upper ends are pivoted to a vertically movable rack bar 92 (Fig. 8) mounted to slide vertically in bearings carried by the machine frame. This rack bar meshes with a pinion 93 mounted on a shaft 94 (Fig. 8) having, at opposite sides of the machine, gears 65 which mesh with horizontally movable rack bars $6, mounted in suitable guides 91 carried by the machine frame, and whose rear end portions preferably engage hold-down gears 98 journaled to turn on stub shafts carried by brackets ee forming parts of the machine frame. At their forward ends the rack bars 96 are connected to rods is which carry the pusher it, by means of which the filler unit is advanced from the elevator and through the funnel is into the empty carton.

The elevator or table it is a grill-like structure (Figs. 13 and 14) comprising a series of bars Hill separated by slots lei. The bars :ee form the actual supports for the articles W, there being one of these bars for each row of articles to be placed in the carton.

At a point below the receiving position of the elevator, as shown in Fig. 5, there is arranged a support (Figs. 11 and 12) consisting of a pair of spaced parallel bars 192 which carries a series of rigid, vertical plates we, each of these plates being registered with one of the slots lei in the elevator. When the elevator is in the receiving position of Fig. 5, these plates ills extend up through the slots Elli, each one of the plates its being aligned with one of the rails 2 3 which define the guideways for the articles as they approach the filling station. Thus, as the articles are advanced onto the elevator, they are kept in proper alignment until the foremost article. in each row engages the detector 44 whereupon the conveyor drive is stopped. As the. elevator rises,

, of the articles.

2% the plates I03 remain stationary so that, when the elevator has risen to the discharge position, shown in Fig. 4, there is nothing to interfere with the advance of the pusher [8 as it discharges the articles from the elevator table.

In Fig. 15 there is diagrammatically illustrated an electric circuit by means of which the rise and descent of the elevator is automatically controlled. This circuit includes in series the several switches Me which are actuated by the detectors M in response to the loading of articles onto the elevator. In series in the same circuit is the switch K (Fig. 4) which is closed by the presence of an empty carton properly disposed in load-receiving position. Also in this circuit is a switch K (Fig. 4) which is closed whenever a spacer grid is properly positioned in the holder 26 to receive a load of articles carried by the rising elevator. In the same circuit is a switch K which is normally closed, but which is opened by a filled carton inthe position shown in Fig. 8. Until the filled'carton has been advanced from the loading station 8 toward the station 9, the switch K remains open and the loading mechanism is idle, thus preventing a second charge from being delivered into a filled carton. In series in the same circuit is the solenoid D which, when energized, allows the driving clutch of the elevator mechanism to act. Until all of the several switches in the series are simultaneously closed the elevator remains in the down or loadreceiving position. When all of the switches in the series are closed the elevator rises to the.

load-delivering position. As the elevator starts to rise, the circuit is broken at the switches t l but the clutch which drives the elevator is of conventional one-revolution type so that when once engaged, it makes a complete rotation before stopping even though the actuating circuit is broken. The cam which drives the elevator is so contoured as to hold the elevator stationary at the load-delivering position for a sufficient time interval to allow the pusher to move the load into the funnel, whereupon the elevator descends to the 1oad-receiving position where it dwells until the'circuit is again closed. In th operation of the machine, and assuming that articles are being supplied from a suitable source through the guide channels 52 or 42 and that the articles are being properly distributed into the paths defined Iby the fixed rails 23 and 24, and assuming that the elevator is in the low or receiving position of Fig. 5, the articles W are moved along by the conveyor 22, as here shown, in six parallel rows and continue until the foremost article W (Fig. 5) in each row engages the corresponding feeler or detector member 44. This advance of the articles continues until the individual feeler 44, corresponding respectively to each of the six rows, has been engaged by one When all of the feelers 4:3 have thus been contacted and assuming that all of the switches K, K and K are closed, the circuit is completed and the elevator it rises. As it rises, carrying with it the block 35 of articles (in this particular case, 24 articles), the last of the At some time prior to the completion of the rise of the elevator, the arm 85 has been rocked by action of the cam 18 so as to push the empty carton C to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, until its open end partiall telescopes over the right-hand end of the funnel It, as shown at C", Fig.4, and until it engages and actuates the detector which controls switch K. Hior to the rise of the eletater, the operator has placed a spacer grid 2! above the charge of articles on the elevator and has pushed it own until its lower edge is but slightly above the level of the floor of the funnel H, In so doing, the detector which controls K is actuated to close the switch, the (switch K being normally closed. The circuit being completed, the elevator rises, as above described, and one of the articles W enters each respective cell of the spacer grid. As soon as the elevator reaches its uppermost position, as determined [by the shape of the groove in the cam 10 (which is shaped to cause the elevator to dwell at this uppermost position for a short time) the cam 90, through the connections described, causes the pusher |8 to be advanced toward the right so that it engages the block of' articles resting on the elevator and advances the block with the spacer grid, as a unit, into the open end of the funnel l4. The upwardly flaring part l4 (Flig. 4) of the top wall of the funnel l4 assists in crowding the spacer grid down, if it is not in proper position until its lower edge rests upon the floor of the funnel. As soon as the filler unit, comprising the articles W and the spacer grid, has been fully entered into the funnel, the elevator and as soon as it reaches the receiving position (Fig. 5) where it dwells for the proper interval, the conveyor 22 advances more of the articles W onto the elevator. While this is taking place the pusher I B continues to move to the right until the filler unit has been pushed completely through the funnel and into the carton C. The pusher I 8 then continues still further so as to restore the carton, with its filler unit, to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. Preferably the pusher l5 normally occupies the idle position shown in Fig. 5, so that it forms a stop to limit the movement of the filled carton to the right, thus insuring its proper position on the conveyor.

The pusher l 8 now retracts slightly, for example;

one-half inch, and dwells to constitute a guide for the filled carton as the latter starts to ad- Vance toward the station 9, Fig. 1. As the loaded carton comes to rest on the rails I2, I3, its weight depresses the rails, in opposition to a spring Z (Fig. 8) which tends to tilt them to th position of Fig. 4. As the rails are then depressed, the switch Z is opened. When the filled carton leaves the station 8, the switch Z is again closed, and the pusher It now completely retracts to its rearmost position and the elevator starts to rise, thus completing the cycle. It may be noted that, by this arrangement, the actual introduction'of the filler unit into the carton is taking place while a succeeding filler unit is being accumu-.

in been illustrated and described byway of eximmediately starts down,

10 ample, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly inclusive of any and all modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number of articles, means defining parallel pathways in number equaling the number of rows in the filler block, means for moving articles along each pathway, a vertically movabl block carrier having a horizontal upper surface which at times is disposed in a receiving position such as to receive articles delivered from all of the pathways, a detector corresponding to each pathway, each detector being designed to respond when articles, in number sufficient to form one row of the block, have been delivered onto the carrier from the corresponding pathway, means operative to move the carrier from receiving position to a delivery position only after all of the detectors have so responded and means for pushing the block of articles, as a unit, from off the carrier while the latter is in the delivery position.

2. In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number of articles, means defining parallel pathways in number equaling the number of rows in the filler block, means for moving articles along each pathway, a vertically movable block carrier having a horizontal upper surface which at times is disposed in a relatively low, receiving position such as to receive articles delivered from all of the pathways, a detector corresponding to each pathway, each detector being designed to respond when articles, in number sufiicient to form one row of the block, have been delivered onto the carrier from the corresponding pathway, means operative to move the carrier vertically up from receiving position to a delivery position when all of the detectors have so responded, means to prevent further delivery of articles from the several pathways until the carrier is again in position to receive them, and a horizontally movable pusher for discharging the block of articles, as a unit, from the carrier while the latter is in the delivery position.

3. In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number of articles, means defining parallel pathways in number equaling the number of rows in the filler block, means for moving articles along each pathway, a vertically movable block carrier comprising a horizontal grid which at times is disposed in a receiving position such as to receive articles delivered from all of the pathways, a detector corresponding to each pathway, each de tector comprising a movable part which is moved when articles, in number sufiicient to form one row of the block, have been delivered onto the carrier from the corresponding pathway, means operative to move the block carrier vertically from receiving position to a delivery position when all of the detectors have so responded, the carrier having a gate which extends across the delivery ends of the several pathways whenever the carrier is moved from receiving position, and means for pushing the block of articles, as a unit, from oif the grid while the carrier is in the delivery position.

I ll

{4: In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a'container, said block com- 1 prising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number :of articles, means ldefining parallel pathways, in number equaling the number of rows in. the ffiller block, means for moving articles along each pathway, a vertically movable carrier having a i horizontal upper surface of a size and shape to receive and to support a block of articles, said :carrier, attimesbeingdisposed with its upper surfaceat a level to receive articles from the several pathways, and means operative, when sufficient articles have been delivered from each pathway-to constitute the complete block, to move the "carrier with the block of articles to a different level.

5. In combination in apparatus for introducing a: filler blockiinto a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number wof articles, means defining pathways, in number ,equaling'the number of rows in the filler block, means for moving articles-along each pathway, a vertically movableelevator having a horizontal upper. surface of a size and'shape'to receive and .tosupport'a block of: articles, said elevator, at times, being so located with respect to the-delivery ends of the pathways that articles from the pathways maybe delivered onto the elevator, .detector devices arrange'd to be engaged by articles delivered onto the elevator from each of the (respective pathways, each detector device responding to the pressure of-an article thereagainst, and means-operative to move the eleva- .tor to adiiierentlevel with the block of articles resting thereon when all detectors are concomi- 'tantly'engaged by" articles standing on theelea vator. V

6..' In combination in apparatus for'introducing "a 'filler blockrinto acontainer, said block com- .prising independent, like articles arranged'in parallel rows, all of which'contain the same number of articles, means definingparallel pathways, in znumber. qualing the number of rows in the'iiller :block, saidpathways being designed to direct articles moving along the pathways to a transfer station, a vertically movable elevator comprising .agrid havinga horizontal upper" surface of a size and shape to receive and support articles to form the block, said elevator, when disposed at the transfer station, having its upper surface substantially at the level of thei'delivery ends of the pathways and with one edge juxtaposed. to the delivery ends of the pathwayaa substantially vertical'guard depending from said edge'or" the elevatonthe guard being of a transverse width to cover the ends of all pathways when the elevator is raised from the transfer station, stationary article-positioning through the grid when the elevator is in the receiving position and means'for raising and lowering the elevator.

' 7. In combination'in apparatus for introducing a filler block into'a containen'said block comprising independent; like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain thesame number of articles, parallel spaced guides defining paths corresponding to the number of rows in the desired block, conveyor means operative to advance articles in succession alongeach-path, means for supporting an open-sided container, at alevel different from that of the conveyor, an elevator comprising a gridwhich at times, is disposed at a level such that it may receive articles from blades which project un- Q '12 --the several paths thereby tc co'nstitute the desired blo'ckpmeans for moving the elevator vertically to bring the block to the level of the container :support, stationary article-aligning means ex- 5 tending up through the grid when the latter-is in the receiving position, and means to discharge the block from the elevator into the container;

8. In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged-inparallel rows, all of which contain the same number of-articles, a conveyor having a horizontal run-constituting a support for articles, a plurality of fixed, parallel, spaced guides above said conveyor run, defining paths, in number equal to the :number of rows of articles in thedesired block, extending lengthwise of the conveyor and along -Which articles-are moved by the conveyor, means ionsuppljving articles to the severalpaths, a support for an opensided container, said support -=being=in a plane spaced from that of the conveyor 1 math, a vertically movable article carrier designedywhen at a receiving level, to receive arti- "cles from the several paths so as to constitute the 5: .desired blcclcpa fixed spacer, aligned witheach ofxsaidparallel guides, disposed above thesupportwhenthe latter isat the receiving-level, means for moving the carrier to a 'delivery'level thereby-to dispose said block at the level or the 0- plane of the container support-andmeans operative to push the block of articles from the carrier -intoa container resting on the support.

9. In combination in a machine for assembling individual. articles to form a filler unit and for "351 loading said unit into a. container, meansfor ladvancingindividual articles in parallel rows to- .-v.zard..a loadingstation, a vertically movable ele -vator arranged to receive a load of said articles La-t athe loadingz'station, a horizontally "movable 40131151181: :for. electing the load from theelevator, i a I fixedvcontainerefilling' funnel; a horizontally .vmovableiimpeller operative to advance acon- :taineifisowas partiallyto telescope it over the smaller endof the funnel, *a power-driven shaft .45 havingcams thereon, and means actuable by the teams on; the cam shaftin properly. timed relation :Jtol actuate the impellenthe motor and the pusher iso ashfirst to. impel a container into operative relation to the filling funnel, then to raise the :elevatcr'to unloading positionand thenyto operate the pusher to eject the load from the elevator and through the'funn'el into the coililainer. .10. Incombination in a machine for assembling individual articles to, form a filler-unit and 57,32 for. loading said unit. into a container,-means for advancing individual articles in parallel rows *towarda. loading station, a vertically movable :ielevator arranged to receive a load of said articles iatithe loading station, a horizontally mov- 05-31018 pusher for. ejecting the load of articles, as 1a" unit," from the elevator,*means for actuating A the pu'shen'means' for moving the elevator up from the-loading station to an unloading posi- "tionymovable supporting means for holding an 2555 open-sided :empty. container in load-receiving position at the unloading station, andnieans, 1 including 'a detector, responsive to the weight of the' fi-lledcontainer, after thellpusher has pro- -"-jected" the load from the elevator into the container, thereby 'toprevent another advance movement of the pusher until the filled container has been removed from load-receiving; position.

' -11. Ihbonibination: in a'machine for assembling;-i individual.articlesto form axfillerunit and 137.5 fioriiloading 's'aidnnit :intoa; container, means .for

advancing individual articles in parallel rows toward a loading station, a vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading station, a horizontally movable pusher for ejecting the load, as a unit, from the elevator without disturbing the relative positions of the articles constituting the load, a fixed carton-filling funnel over whose smaller end an empty carton may be partially telescoped in readiness for the introduction of a filler load, a power-driven shaft, a lever, means connecting the lever to the elevator whereby rocking of the lever moves the elevator up and down, a second lever, a rack connected to said latter lever for reciprocating movement, means for transmitting motion from the rack to the pusher, and means carried by the shaft for actuating the two levers in properly timed relation.

12. In combination in a machine for assem bling individual articles to form a filler unit and for loading said unit into a container, means for advancing individual articles in parallel rows toward a loading station, a vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading station, a horizontally movable pusher for ejecting the load of articles, as a unit, from the elevator, a pair of parallel horizontally movable rack bars constituting support ing means for the pusher, a gear meshing with each rack bar, a transverse shaft to which said gears are fixed, a pinion fixed to the shaft, a reciprocable rack bar having teeth which engage said pinion, a lever, means connecting the lever to said latter rack bar, and means carried by the shaft for rocking the lever.

13. In combination in a machine of the class described having means for advancing independent articles in rows to a loading point, a vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading point, fixed parallel walls separating the rows of articles as they approach the elevator, and fixed blades which constitute in effect extensions of said several walls and which are operative to keep the articles in separate rows as the articles are delivered onto the elevator.

14. In combination in a machine of the class described having means for advancing independent articles in rows to a loading point, a vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading point, fixed parallel walls which keep the aforesaid rows separate as they approach the elevator, the latter having openings in its floor which are in the planes of the respective walls, and fixed separator elements projecting up through said openings in the elevator floor while the elevator is in the loading position and which are operative to keep the articles in the aforesaid rows as they are delivered onto the elevator.

15. In combination in a machine for assembling individual articles to form a filler unit and for loading said unit into a container, means for advancing individual articles in parallel rows toward a loading station, a vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading station, a horizontally movable pusher for ejecting the load from the elevator, the elevator having a series of parallel slots in its floor, and fixed separator blades extending up through the slots when the elevator is in the load-receiving position, said blades being operative to keep the articles in orderly rows as they are delivered onto the elevator.

16. In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number of articles, fixed parallel rails defining a plurality of parallel paths, in number equal to the number of rows of articles comprised in the desired block, means for moving articles along the several paths, means for supplying articles to the several paths, an oscillatory blade aligned with each rail and located at the receiving ends of the paths, and power driven means for oscillating the blades in out-of-time relation thereby to prevent jamming of the articles as they approach the entrances to the several paths.

1'7. In combination in apparatus for introducing a filler block into a container, said block comprising independent, like articles arranged in parallel rows, all of which contain the same number of articles, fixed parallel rails defining a plurality of parallel paths, means for moving articles along the several paths, movable walls defining the sides of a distributing chamber from which articles enter the several paths, each wall being pivoted adjacent to the receiving end of one, respectively, of the outermost guide rails, said walls converging toward each other, means for delivering articles into the space between the nearer ends of said walls, and resilient means urging the free ends of the walls toward each other.

18. In combination in a machine for assembling individual articles to form a filler unit and for loading said unit into a container, means for advancing individual articles in parallel rows toward a loading station, a vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading station, a horizontally movable pusher for ejecting the load from the elevator, a power-driven shaft, means including a onerevolution clutch, actuable by the shaft, for raising and lowering the elevator, means actuable by the shaft for reciprocating the pusher, an electrically actuated device for activating the clutch, and switch means for controlling the supply of current to said device, said switch means being so constructed and arranged as to close the circuit of said electrically actuated device only when a full load of articles has been delivered onto the elevator.

19. In combination in a machine for assembling individual articles to form a filler unit and for loading said unit into a container, means for advancing individual articles in parallel rows toward a loading station, a, vertically movable elevator arranged to receive a load of said articles at the loading station and to enter said articles into a spacer grid positioned above the elevator, a detector responsive to the presence of a grid properly placed to receive the articles, a horizontally movable pusher for ejecting the load from the elevator, means for positioning an opensided empty carton in readiness to receive a load from the elevator, a power-driven shaft, means, including a one-revolution clutch, actuable by the shaft for moving the elevator up from a loadreceiving position to an unloading position, the floor of the elevator, when in the latter position, being substantially flush with the bottom of an empty carton held in the receiving position, a detector which is sensitively responsive to the presence of a carton in the load-carrying position, other detectors which are sensitively responsive to the presence of a full load on the elevator, a solenoid for actuating the clutch, and switch means controlling the supply of current to the solenoid, "safid -switcrrmeans beingso con- -"structed and arranged as to close the solenoid ciicuit only in response to the coricomitant action of' all of the said several detectors.

R-eferences Cited in the fi1e of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS *Numher 1 '16 Name Date 'McKaig 1; 'Ja-n. 5,--1 93-2 Hurst 0017.9,1934 Luckie Apr. 7,-1936 Kimball June 9, 1936 Kimball etal July 14,4936 Van Buren 'Aug. 18, -1936 Read Feb. 9, #1937 Kimball-1st a1 Feb. 28,1939 Ferguson 7 '-Ju1y- 2, 1- 910 Wood Aug."26, 1941 -Kimba11-eta1. June-6, 1 944 

